Supports and Securements for Cameras, Lighting and Other Equipment, and Novel Couplers and Accessories for Same

ABSTRACT

Unique securement devices, usable for example as tripod feet, each feature a bistable spring band encapsulated in an outer skin with a set of optionally magnetic embedments discretely spaced along the band, and a coupler at one end for attachment to a tripod leg or other component. Unique ball and socket joints employ both a snap fit and a secondary retention mechanism to reliably secure together various components, including said securement devices and tripod legs. One joint includes an externally convex and internally concave ball coupler for optional mating with either a larger socket coupler or smaller ball. One joint includes a stabilization sleeve for angularly locking the ball and socket joint. An elongated support, usable as a tripod leg for example, features threaded connection ports usable to either directly mount threaded third-party componentry, or to receive a threaded ball coupler by which socket-equipped componentry can be indirectly attached.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of U.S.Provisional Application No. 62/745,876, filed Oct. 15, 2018, theentirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to tripods, monopods and othersupportive means for camera and lighting equipment, but also extends toother mechanical fields that may similarly benefit from the inventiveproducts and methodologies disclosed herein.

BACKGROUND

With advances in digital photography and videography equipment, thewidescale adoption of smartphone technology incorporating suchphotographic and videographic capabilities, and the explosive growth ofonline distribution channels through which photographic and videographiccontent is easily posted and widely shared, there exists notable demandfor user friendly, flexible, adaptable camera support equipment usableby professional and amateur photographers and videographers to providestable camera support for quality shots in various environments fromvarious viewpoints.

In response, Applicant has developed unique tripod products andassociated componentry and accessories that address this need in themarketplace, and that posses inventive features also useful for otherapplications outside the field of camera and lighting equipment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a securementdevice for coupling an item or assembly to a surface or object, saiddevice comprising a bi-stable spring band, an outer skin encapsulatingat least a substantial portion of the bi-stable spring band, and atleast a first set of embedments at least partially encapsulated insidethe outer skin with said bi-stable spring band, said first set ofembedments residing at discrete locations along a length of saidbi-stable spring band.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided asecurement device for coupling an item or assembly to a surface orobject, said device comprising a bi-stable spring band, a plurality ofsecurement elements connected thereto at discrete locations therealongon a same side thereof for use in securing the device to said surface orobject, and a coupler connected to the bi-stable spring band to enableselective coupling of said securement device to the item or assembly viaa mating coupler provided thereon

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided asecurement device for coupling an item or assembly to a surface orobject, said device comprising a bi-stable spring band, an outer skinencapsulating at least a substantial portion of the bi-stable springband, and a coupler situated adjacent a respective end of the bi-stablespring band and connected thereto to enable selective coupling of saidsecurement device to the item or assembly via a mating coupler providedthereon, wherein said coupler is partially encapsulated by the outerskin.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a snapfit ball and socket joint comprising:

a ball coupler having a ball tip with a spherically contoured exteriorsurface;

a socket coupler having a spherically contoured receiving socket thereinthat is open at one end of the socket coupler to accept insertion of theball tip of the ball coupler, wherein the couplers are dimensioned toprovide a snap fit between said couplers as the ball tip is insertedinto the receiving socket, whereby said snap fit resists withdrawal ofthe ball tip from the receiving socket, thereby resisting separation ofthe couplers from one another; and

a secondary retention mechanism operable to engage between the couplerswhen the ball tip is received in the socket coupler, thereby providingsupplementary resistance to said separation of the couplers from oneanother.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided asupport system for cameras, lighting or other equipment comprising:

a set of legs for use in erecting a tripod or other support structure,each leg having a leg-carried ball or socket coupler at a foot endthereof for selective connection of a respective foot thereto; and

at least one set of feet, each having a foot-carried ball or socketcoupler thereon of matable compatibility with the leg-carried ball orsocket couplers on the legs;

wherein the leg-carried ball or socket couplers and the foot-carriedball or socket couplers are dimensioned to provide snap-fit matingtherebetween to enable quick attachment of said feet to said legs.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided asupport system comprising:

support components assemblable to form a camera support structure onwhich a camera is mountable, at least one of said support componentshaving thereon at least one threaded connection port of a standardizedthread type commonly used in camera-related equipment to enableattachment of third-party equipment to said camera support structure;and

at least one selectively attachable coupler having a threaded baseportion of said standardized threading type for selective matedconnection of said threaded base with any of said threaded connectionports, and a ball or socket coupling portion attached to said threadedbase portion; and

at least one accessory having a ball or socket coupler thereon ofmatable compatibility with the ball or socket coupling portion of any ofthe selectively attachable couplers;

whereby at any of said threaded connections ports, the camera supportstructure is capable of either accepting direct threaded coupling of athird-party piece of equipment having said standardized thread type, oraccepting indirect ball and socket coupling of said accessory to thesupport structure via the selectively attachable coupler.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a systemof assemblable components matable together via ball and socket joints,said system comprising:

a first component having thereon a dual-mode coupler having a convexlycontoured exterior surface of a first ball size and a concavelycontoured interior socket open at one end thereof;

a second component having thereon a socket coupler of a first socketsize compatible with said first ball size to enable receipt of thedual-mode coupler in the socket coupler to form a first size of ball andsocket joint between said first and second components; and

a third component having thereon a ball coupler having a convexlycontoured exterior surface of a second ball size that is smaller thanthe first ball size of the dual-mode coupler, and is compatibly sizedwith the interior socket of the dual-mode coupler to enable receipt ofthe ball coupler in the interior socket of the dual-mode coupler to forma second smaller size of ball and socket joint between said first andthird components;

whereby either the second or third component is selectively connectableto the first component through the dual-mode coupler thereof.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a balland socket joint comprising:

a ball coupler having an externally convex ball tip projecting axiallyfrom a body to which said ball tip is attached;

a socket coupler having a concavely contoured socket opening thereintofrom an end thereof to accommodate insertion of said externally convexball tip into said socket to place the socket coupler and the ballcoupler in a snap-fit mated condition with one another; and

a stabilization sleeve selectively displaceable relative to the socketcoupler and the ball coupler, while in said snap-fit mated condition,between an extended stabilizing position spanning around both of thecouplers to thereby constrain angular tilting therebetween, and aretracted position withdrawn from around at least one the couplers tothereby allow said angular tilting therebetween.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a legcomponent for use in supporting a camera, lighting or other equipment,said leg component comprising:

an elongated leg having opposite terminal ends;

one or more leg-carried couplers attached or attachable to saidelongated leg at respective positions situated intermediately of saidterminal ends of the leg, and by which one or more accessories havingcompatible accessory-carried couplers are removably and selectivelymountable to said leg for storage or use of said accessory on said leg.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a cameraor lighting support comprising:

at least one elongated leg having opposing terminal ends; and

a respective securement device connected or connectable to eachelongated leg at or adjacent one of the terminal ends thereof;

wherein each securement device comprises at least one bi-stable springband.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a devicecomprising a plurality of bi-stable spring bands residing in parallelrelation and at least partially overlying relation to one another.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described inconjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a bi-stable securement device useable, forexample, as a support foot on a respective leg of a camera or lightingtripod.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the bi-stable securement device ofFIG. 1, as viewed along line A-A thereof.

FIG. 2A is partial cross-sectional view of a variant of the bi-stablesecurement device, as viewed in the same cutting plane as FIG. 2.

FIG. 2B shows a variant of the bi-stable securement device of FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 is an elevational perspective view of a tripod whose legs areeach equipped with a ball coupler at a lower distal end for mating witha cooperative socket coupler of the securement device of FIGS. 1 and 2to establish a ball and socket joint therebetween.

FIG. 4 illustrates one of the legs of the FIG. 3 tripod in isolationafter detachment thereof for use as a selfie-stick.

FIG. 4A illustrates a selectively attachable ball coupler mountable tothe tripod legs of FIG. 3 at threaded connection ports thereon.

FIG. 4B illustrates use of two selectively attachable ball couplersinstalled at two threaded connection ports of one of the tripod legs toenable oriented mounting of an accessory thereon.

FIG. 4C illustrates use of two selectively attachable ball couplersinstalled at two threaded connection ports on different sections of atelescopically adjustable tripod leg to connect a bungee cord to the legin a manner imparting a self-collapsing function thereto.

FIG. 4D illustrates use of a selectively attachable dual-ball coupler tothe threaded connection port of one of the tripod legs to enableconnection of a pair of stabilizing braces thereto.

FIG. 5 shows an alternate embodiment tripod leg, and illustratesassembly of a stabilized ball and socket connection between the tripodleg and a mating tripod yoke or other component.

FIG. 6 shows a simplified embodiment of the tripod leg that lacks astabilizer for the ball and socket connection to the mating tripod yokeor other component.

FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view, as viewed along line A-A of FIG. 7D,of matable ball and socket couplers having cooperating components of asecondary retention mechanism that supplements the frictional resistanceof a snap fit relation between the couplers to better preventinadvertent separation thereof under notable loading conditions.

FIG. 7B shows the same couplers as FIG. 7A, but in a snap fit assembledstate with the secondary retention mechanism engaged.

FIG. 7C shows the same couplers of FIG. 7B, illustrating a failsafeoperational mode of the secondary retention mechanism after failure ofthe snap fit.

FIG. 7D is a cross-sectional view of the ball and socket couplers ofFIG. 7A as viewed along line D-D thereof.

FIG. 7E is a cross-sectional view of the ball and socket couplers ofFIG. 7D as viewed along line E-E thereof, showing a release mechanism bywhich the secondary retention mechanism can be disengaged to enableseparation of the couplers.

FIGS. 8A through 8C illustrate unique use of securement devices likethose of FIGS. 1 and 2 to enable securement of an item or assembly to anobject or structure at a gap or crack in said structure.

FIG. 9 illustrates assembly of a variant of the securement device ofFIGS. 1 and 2, which employs multiple bi-stable spring bands in itsconstruction.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an inventive securement device 10, which asfurther illustrated in FIG. 3 may be used, in a non-limiting example, asa foot on a respective leg of a camera or lighting tripod 100. In theillustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the securement device comprisesa bi-stable spring band 12, a resiliently flexible outer skin 14encapsulating an entirety of the bi-stable spring band, a plurality ofembedments 18, 18 a, 18 b secured to the bi-stable spring band 12 andencapsulated fully within the flexible outer skin 14 in sandwichedrelation between the spring band and the outer skin 14, an optionalreinforcement layer 20 embedded within the outer skin 14, a socketcoupler 22 situated at a proximal end of the securement device 10, andan internal stiffener/dampener 24 connected between the socket coupler22 and a proximal end of the spring band 12 nearest thereto.

The securement device 10 is of elongated form having a length dimensionDL that is measured along a longitudinal axis A_(L) between oppositeproximal end distal ends 10 a, 10 b of the device, and that exceeds botha lesser width dimension D_(W) and even lesser thickness dimension DT ofthe device. The width dimension D_(W) and thickness dimension DT aremeasured perpendicularly of the longitudinal dimension andperpendicularly of one another. The bi-stable spring band 12 runs asubstantial length of the device, thus having a distal end 12 b situatedin close proximity to the distal end 10 b of the securement device 10.At its longitudinally opposing proximal end 12 a, the spring band 12terminates at a greater distance from the proximal end 10 a of thedevice 10 in order to leave room to accommodate the stiffener/dampener24 and the socket coupler 22 between the proximal end of the spring bandand the proximal end of the device.

In a known manner, the bi-stable spring band 12 is stable in twodifferent states of shape, namely a linear state in which the length ofthe band measured on the longitudinal axis A_(L) between the band'sproximal and distal ends 12 a, 12 d is a linear measure made in a flatplane, and a coiled state in which the length of the band insteadfollows a spirally curved path around a transverse coil axis lyingperpendicular to the longitudinal axis A_(L) and parallel to the widthdimension D_(W). In a known manner, the bi-stable spring band isswitchable out of its linear state by performing a snapping action bywhich the widthwise concavity/convexity of the band is reversed. Thatis, with the band in its fully linear state where the longitudinal axisis purely linear over the full length thereof, depression of a convexside of the band with sufficient force will cause this initially convexside to snap into a convex curvature (thus likewise snapping theopposing initially concave side into a convex state), and causes theband to self-wind into the coiled state.

The spring band 12 imparts this same bi-stable shape characteristic tothe overall securement device 10, whereby the securement device isswitchable between a linear state (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) in which thedevice's longitudinal axis A_(L) follows a flat linear path over theentire length of the spring band, and a coiled state in which thedevice's longitudinal axis A_(L), over the entire length of the springband, follows a spirally curved path about the transverse coil axis. Thecomposition, firmness and thickness of the skin are selected so that theskin provides resistance to self-winding action of the spring whensnapped out of its linear state, thus retarding, but not fully stopping,the self-winding action.

The embedments 18, 18 a, 18 b are bonded to a face of the bi-stablespring band 12 on the side thereof that is of convex curvature in thewidth dimension D_(W) when the spring band is in its linear state. Theembedments are bonded to the spring band 12 by an epoxy or otherflexible bonding agent that is compositionally distinct from the outerskin 14 and is capable of securely anchoring the embedments to thespring band without interfering with the transition of the spring bandbetween its two stable states. Being bonded directly to the spring bandseparately of the outer skin, each embedment has a stronger attachmentto the spring band than would be provided solely by the commonencapsulation of both the spring band and embedments by the outer skin.The embedments are provided in a distributed fashion along the lengthdimension of the spring band 12, preferably at equally spaced intervalstherealong. Accordingly, at each one of a plurality of discretelocations equally spaced apart from one another in the longitudinaldirection, the securement device features at least one embedment. In theillustrated example, a proximal end location residing nearest theproximal end 10 a of the device is occupied by a larger proximal endembedment 18 a of greater size than the other embedments, a distal endlocation residing nearest the distal end 10 b of the device is occupiedby a pair of distal end embedments 18 b, and a series of intermediatelocations residing between the proximal and distal end locations areeach occupied by a singular embedment 18, which for example may be ofequal size to the two distal end embedments 18 b.

In one preferred embodiment, each embedment is a magnetic embedment, forexample in the form of a neodymium magnet. The larger proximal endembedment 18 a and the two distal end embedments 18 b thus providegreater magnetic field strength at the proximal and distal end locationsthan at each of the intermediate locations where the smaller size andquantity of magnets provide a lesser magnetic field strength at leachlocation. It will be appreciated that the use of a larger singularmagnet at the proximal end location may be substituted for a pluralityof smaller magnets, such as the pair of magnets 18 b illustrated at thedistal end location, while still achieving the result of greatermagnetic strength at the proximal end location relative to theintermediate locations. Likewise, the multiple magnets at the distal endlocation may be substituted for a larger singular magnet while stillachieving the result of greater magnetic strength at the distal endlocation relative to the intermediate locations. Having greater magneticstrength at the proximal end location is preferable since this point issubject to the most direct loading when the securement device 10 iscoupled to another component via the socket coupler 22.

FIG. 2A illustrates an optional variation in the attachment of proximalend embedment 18 a to the spring band 12 where instead of beingsubstantially flush-mounted to the spring band in tight relationthereagainst like the other smaller embedments, a larger volume of epoxyor other bonding agent 16 is used at the proximal end embedment 18 athan at the other smaller embedments to enable greater flex between theembedment 18 a and the spring band 12 since this embedment is closest tothe coupler 22 at which the securement device is loaded when connectedto another component.

As shown in FIG. 2, an exterior surface area of the outer skin 14 ateach of the discrete locations occupied by the embedments may feature anannular lip 26 raised up from surrounding regions of the skin's exteriorsurface to create a cup-shaped frill delimiting a recessed cavity withinthe confines of the lip 26 so that these frilled areas of the outer skin14 form integrally-defined suction cups by which securement of thedevice 10 to smoothly surfaced objects can be improved. In embodimentsemploying magnetic embedments, securement of the device 10 to smoothlysurfaced areas of ferromagnetic objects can thus be achieved at leastpartially through a combination of magnetic attraction and suction-cupaction. However, in other instances, the cup-shaped frills may beomitted, for example as shown in the variant of FIG. 2B, while stillusing magnetic coupling to secure the device 10 to ferromagneticobjects. The embedments thus serve as securement elements by whichsecurement of the device to one or more surfaces of an object is atleast partially achieved. Even where the cup-shaped frills are omitted,the resiliently flexible material of the outer skin nonetheless improvesthe securement of the device 10 to the surface of an object by providingfrictional resistance to shear-like sliding of the skin's outer surfacearea along the surface of the object in either the longitudinal ortransverse direction.

To provide this frictional gripping effect, the outer skin 14 is formedat least partially of a resiliently flexible material such as latex orsilicone. In addition to imparting frictional gripping functionality,the flexible outer skin also serves to protect the object to which thesecurement device is being secured, by preventing direct contact of theobject with the embedments and spring band, which otherwise could marthe surface of the object. The outer skin may have a compositeconstruction, for example having one or more reinforcement layerstherein to prevent tearing or premature wear. In the illustratedexample, a reinforcement layer 20 of mesh fabric overlies the embedments18 and the inter-embedment areas of the spring band 12 located betweenthe embedments 18. The fibers used in the reinforcement layer may be,for example, Kevlar fibers, aramid fibers, carbon fibers, or othersynthetic or natural fibers. The outer skin 14 may optionally be coatedwith a dry adhesive to impart additional gripping strength between thesecurement device and either a surface on which the device is used inits linear state, or an object around which the securement device atleast partially wraps in its coiled state.

Though the illustrated embodiment has a single-sided embedment layoutfeaturing a set of embedments (preferably with an overlying meshreinforcement layer) on only a first side of the spring band 12(specifically the convex-when-linear side thereof), other embodimentsmay employ a double-sided embedment layout featuring an additional setof embedments, preferably with another reinforcement layer laidthereover, on a second opposite side of the spring band (i.e. theconcave-when-linear side thereof). To improve the durability of theouter skin on the second side of the spring band 12, a secondreinforcement layer may be included on the second side of the springband even in instances where only a single-sided embedment layout isused. Where a double-sided embedment layout is used, the exteriorsurface of the outer skin 14 on the second side of the spring band mayoptionally feature the above-described suction-cup frills at theembedment-occupied locations of the band's second side.

In the case of a single-sided embedment layout, the embedmentscontribute a non-uniform thickness profile over the length of the springband, where a thickness of the device 10 is greater at the embedmentlocations than at thinner areas located between the embedments in thelongitudinal direction. Likewise, whether in the case of a single-sidedor double-sided embedment layout, the embedments contribute anon-uniform skin depth over the length of the spring band. That is, askin depth measured on each embedment-equipped side of the spring bandfrom the face of the spring band to the exterior surface of the skinfurthest from the spring band is greater at each embedment location thatat the areas between the embedments. Accordingly, if the securementdevice were laid out on a flat object surface while in the linear statewith an embedment-equipped side of the spring band facing said objectsurface, the exterior surface of the skin would contact the objectsurface at the embedment locations, but not at the areas between theembedment locations. To further prevent tearing or premature wear, theouter skin may have a curved topology profile 28 at eachembedment-equipped side of the spring band, as schematically illustratedin FIG. 1, where the skin depth thus gradually increases in alldirections toward each embedment location from the neighbouring areasbetween the embedments. This avoids sharp edges in the skin depthprofile that could otherwise catch on other objects and cause the outerskin to rip during use of the device.

The stiffener/dampener 24 is fully encapsulated within the outer skin 14along with the spring band 12 and embedments, and imparts a greaterrigidity and strength to the device 10 at a neck portion thereof betweenthe proximal end 12 a of the spring band 12 and the socket coupler 22through which the securement device 10 is connectable to a tripod legother piece of compatible equipment. The stiffener/damper also imparts adegree of shock and vibration absorption between the socket coupler 22and the spring band 12 in order to dampen impact forces and vibrationfrom an object on which the securement device is placed, to the tripodleg or other piece of equipment to which the securement device iscoupled. In the illustrated embodiment, the stiffener/dampener 24 is asmall length of tubing that is split at a spring-attached end 24 athereof, and is sealed closed at an opposing coupler-attached end 24 bthereof. At the spring-attached end 24 a, the split halves of the tubingare respectively bonded to the two sides of the spring band 12 in afluid-tight manner. Between this fluid-tight bonding of the split end ofthe tubing to the spring band, and the fluid-tight closure at theopposing coupler-attached end, the tubing defines a hollow member whoseinterior space 30 is fluidly isolated from the outer skin 14 thatsurrounds the stiffener/dampener. This interior space 30 of thestiffener/dampener 24 is filled with a flowable substance, which may beof gaseous, liquid, gelled or granular-solid composition. The tubularwall of the stiffener/dampener 24 has greater rigidity than theresiliently flexible skin material, while still being flexible, therebyimparting a stiffening function to this neck portion of the device inorder to limit the allowable degree of angular deviation between thecoupler 22 and the proximal end of the spring band 12. Meanwhile, theuse of a flowable filler in the interior space 30 of thestiffener/absorber serves as a shock absorber or vibration dampener tohelp minimize transfer of shock or vibrational loads to the socketcoupler 22 from an object to which the skin-covered spring band 12 issecured (for example by the magnetic embedments and optional suction cupfrills).

The socket coupler 22 is co-operable with a mating ball coupler providedon the compatible tripod leg or other piece of equipment to accomplish asnap-fit ball and socket joint therewith. The socket coupler 22 thus hasa spherically concave interior receiving socket 32 that is of greaterthan hemispherical size, and has an open outer end at the proximal end10 a of the securement device to accommodate insertion of the ball tipof the mating ball coupler. In a default unflexed state of the socketcoupler 22, the diameter of the receiving socket 32 at the open outerend thereof is slightly lesser than the outer diameter of the ball tipof the mating ball coupler, but will resiliently flex into an enlargedstate during forced insertion of the ball tip into the socket, beforeautomatically returning back to its default size of lesser diameter thanthe ball tip, thereby retaining the ball tip within the socket in asnap-fit relation therewith. This snap fit frictionally resistssubsequent withdrawal of the ball tip from the receiving socket. Thesocket coupler is preferably a split or slotted socket coupler, wherethe spherically contoured wall of the socket is split into multipleleaves (e.g. three-leaves) to reduce the potential for stress failure ofthe socket wall over time due to repeated flexing of the socket eachtime its mated with and detached from a cooperative ball coupler.

FIG. 3 illustrates a tripod assembly 100 featuring a set of three tripodlegs 102 and a cooperating tripod yoke 104 by which the legs areconnectable together. A lower or distal foot end of each tripod leg 102features a ball coupler 106 selectively matable with the socket coupler22 of the securement device 10 of the type described above in relationto FIGS. 1 and 2, whereby a set of three securement devices 10 can serveas attachable/detachable tripod securement feet to support the tripod onvarious surfaces and objects. Through rotational movement allowed inthree dimensions between ball tip of each ball coupler 106 and thereceiving socket 32 of the mating socket coupler 22, and through thelimited angular flex allowed between the socket coupler 22 and theproximal end of the securement device's spring band 12, the relativeangle of the securement device 10 to the tripod leg 102 can be varied inthree dimensions to best suit the particular surface(s) on which thetripod is to be supported. The snug snap-fit relation between the balland socket couplers will serve to maintain the selected orientationabsent the application a sufficient external adjustment force toovercome this frictional fit between the couplers.

With magnetic embedments, one or more of the securement devices can beused in their flattened linear state with the embedment-equipped sidethereof placed against relatively flat surfaces of one or moreferromagnetic objects, where the magnetic embedments, the frictionalsliding resistance of the outer skin 14 and the optional suction cupfrills and/or dry adhesive (if included) cooperatively secure thesecurement devices in stable anchored positions on the ferromagneticobject(s). Exemplary uses of this type include mounting of cameras tovehicles, for example on door, hood, roof or body panel surfacesthereof. One or more of the securement devices can also be used in theircoiled state to secure their respective tripod legs to one or moreobjects (hand rails, lamp posts, etc.) in a wrap-around fashion wherethe securement devices coil fully or partially around such objects. Inthe event that the object is ferromagnetic, the optional use of magneticembedments enhances the securement strength to the object bysupplementing the coiled frictional contact of the securement device'souter skin with the object it is wrapping around. The securement devicecan also conform to more complex surface geometries by having part ofthe device's length disposed in the linear state to conform against arelatively flat surface, and another part of the device's lengthdisposed in the coiled state to conform against a neighbouring oradjoining curved surface, or to transition between two differentlyoriented surfaces.

The same ball coupler 106 at the distal/lower foot end of each tripodleg 102 can also be used to enable removable attachment of othercomponents or accessories that are equipped with a matable socketcoupler 22 of the type described above. FIG. 4 shows one of the tripodlegs 102 from FIG. 3 in a detached and isolated state from the tripodyoke 104 and other tripod legs, and illustrates use of the isolatedtripod leg 102 as a selfie-stick. In this example, a smartphone holder108 features a socket coupler 22 of compatible size to the ball coupler106 of the tripod-leg/selfie-stick 102 to enable removable mounting of asmartphone 110 to the distal end of the tripod-leg/selfie-stick 102 in amanner enabling angular adjustment of the smartphone orientationrelative to the tripod-leg/selfie-stick 102 in three dimensions via theball and socket joint formed by the socket coupler and the mated balltip of the ball coupler.

As revealed by FIG. 4, each tripod leg 102 also features a second ballcoupler 112 at a proximal yoke end thereof opposite the distal/foot end.It is via this second ball coupler 112 that each tripod leg 102 isremovably attachable to the tripod yoke 104 via a compatibly sizedsocket coupler carried thereon. The second ball coupler 112 of eachtripod leg is larger than the first ball coupler 106 in the illustratedembodiment, and so the socket couplers of the yoke 104 are likewiselarger than the socket coupler 22 of each securement device.Accordingly, each tripod leg is connectable to the yoke only at theleg's proximal end, and not at the opposing distal end due to theincompatibility of the smaller ball coupler 106 with the yoke sockets.

FIG. 4 also illustrates a telescopic structure of each tripod leg 102,which in the illustrated example features three telescopically mated legsections 114, 116, 118 of larger to smaller cross-sectional size movingfrom the proximal yoke end 102 a to the distal foot end 102 b thereof.It will be appreciated that the number of telescopically mated legsections may be varied from the particular three-section configurationshown in the illustrated embodiment. In a conventional manner, each pairof mating telescopic sections are selectively lockable at a selecteddegree of collapse/extension by a rotatable locking collar 120 a, 120 b.

The proximal leg section 114 defining the proximal end of the tripod legfeatures a pair of connection ports 122 a, 122 b thereon, each near arespective end of the proximal leg section 114. The intermediate legsection 116 is selectively extendable and retractable relative to theproximal leg section 114, and features another threaded connection port122 c thereon near the distal end of the intermediate leg sectionthrough which the final distal leg section 118 is extendable andretractable. This distal leg section 118 likewise features anotherthreaded connection port 122 d thereon near the distal end 102 b of theleg. Each threaded connection port is of a standardized thread typecommonly used in the field of camera-related equipment, preferably ¼-20thread (¼-inch major diameter, 20 threads per inch).

FIG. 4A shows a selectively attachable ball coupler 106′ having aball-tip 106 a of matching diameter to that of the distal end ballcoupler 106 on each tripod leg, and having a threaded base portion 106 bin the form of an externally threaded stem projecting axially from theball tip. The threaded base portion 106 b is of matching thread type tothe connection ports 122 a, 122 b, 122 c, 122 d of each tripod leg 102.Accordingly, each attachable ball coupler 106′ is selectively attachableto any of the available connection ports on any tripod leg to enableselective attachment thereto of any accessory component having acompatibly sized socket coupler thereon that is matable with the balltip 106 a of the ball coupler 106′.

So referring to the FIG. 4, where one of the tripod legs is being usedas a selfie-stick, when use of the assembled tripod is again desired,the smartphone holder 108 can be removed from the distal end ballcoupler 106 of the leg, and then mated with an attachable ball coupler106′ mounted the side of the leg 102 at any one of the availablethreaded connection ports. This way, the smartphone holder can be safelystored on the tripod, thus preventing loss or misplacement of thesmartphone holder when not in use. Likewise, any other accessory with asocket coupler of compatible size with the attachable ball couplers 106′can be safely stored on any of the tripod legs.

Similarly, any of the securement devices 10 can be stowed on the side ofany of the tripod legs via the threaded connection ports and attachableball mounts 106′ when the securement device is not in use as a tripodfoot at a distal end of one of said legs. For example, tripod spikesequipped with socket couplers of compatible size with the distal endball couplers of the tripod legs may be selectively attachable to thedistal ends of one or more of the tripod legs for situations where thebi-stable securement devices 10 are not suitable, and where surfacepenetrating spikes would be more effective. During use of the spikes,the bi-stable securement feet 10 can be stored on the sides of thetripod legs 102 via the connection ports and attachable ball couplers106′. In other instances, the tripod spikes may be stored on the sidesof the tripod legs during use of the bi-stable securement feet. The twothreaded connection ports 122 a, 122 b on the proximal section 114 of atelescopic leg would typically be used for such storage purposes, sincethey are exposed and accessible at all times, regardless of the currentdegree of leg extension or collapse, unlike the connection ports 122 c,122 d on the intermediate and distal leg sections 116, 188, which arehidden when the telescopic tripod leg is fully collapsed.

While the proximal leg section 114 may feature only a single threadedconnection port instead of the two connection ports 122 a, 122 b of theillustrated example, the inclusion of multiple connection ports hasadditional benefits beyond the available quantity of mounting sites atwhich socket-equipped components and accessories can be selectivelymounted. Particularly, multi-socketed components or accessories havingtwo socket couplers thereon at equivalently spaced positions to the twothreaded connections ports of the proximal leg section can be mountedthereto in a fixed orientation in which the mating of each socketcoupler of the multi-socket component or accessory with a respective oneof two attachable ball couplers 106′ on the proximal leg section blocksrotation of the multi-socketed component or accessory about the ball tipof the other attachable ball coupler.

This is schematically shown in FIG. 4B, where a multi-socketed accessory124 features an elongated base 126 whose length exceeds the distancebetween the two threaded connection ports 122 a, 122 b on the proximalsection 114 of each tripod leg 102. The base features two sockets 32 ofcooperative snap-fit compatibility with the two attachable ball couplers106′ respectively engaged in the two threaded connection ports 122 a,122 b of the tripod leg's proximal section 114. The center-to-centerspacing of the two sockets 32 matches that of the two threadedconnection ports 122 a, 122 b and the two attachable ball couplers 106′received therein. This way, the accessory 124 can be snap-mounted ontothe tripod leg in an orientation aligning the longitudinal direction ofthe accessory's elongated base 126 with the telescopically adjustablelongitudinal direction of the tripod leg. The accessory 124 may, forexample, be a lighting accessory, battery pack or any otherphotography/videography related accessory. The accessory 124 may be anadapter whose base carries the sockets 32 of compatible type to the ballcouplers 106′, and also carries one or more third-party compatibleconnectors thereon by which one or more third party products can beattached to the base 126 to render said third-party product(s)compatible with the inventive tripod leg for storage of the product(s)thereon.

The threaded connection ports 122 c, 122 d on the intermediate anddistal leg sections 116, 118 are co-operable with the threadedconnection points 122 a, 122 b on the proximal leg section 114 to serveanother purpose, namely to enable attachment of a bungee cord or otherconstrictive device from the proximal leg section 114 to either of theother leg sections 116, 118 to provide the telescopic tripod leg with aself-collapsing function causing said other leg sections 116, 118 toself-retract into the proximal leg section 114. This is illustrated inFIG. 4C, where a bungee cord 128 carries at each end thereof arespective socket coupler 22 compatible with the selectively attachableball couplers 106′ of the tripod leg 102. One of the bungee cord'ssocket couplers 22 is mated with an attachable ball coupler received inone of the connection ports 122 a, 122 b of the proximal leg section114, and the bungee cord is stretched in order to mate its other socketcoupler 22 with an attachable ball coupler received in the threadedconnection port 122 d of the distal leg section 118. Theself-constricting action of the stretched bungee cord pulls the distalleg section 118 back toward the proximal leg section 114, thus impartinga self-collapsing action on the tripod leg 102. One example of wherethis is useful would be an instance where a tripod is placed atop atable, and instead of relying on feet to frictionally grip the top ofthe table for stability, suitable feet capable of hooking around aperipheral edge of the table are used, and self-collapsing of the tripodlegs forces the feet tight against the table edge to increase thestabilization force.

Another exemplary use for the threaded connection ports and compatibleball couplers is illustrated in FIG. 4D, wherein instead of aselectively attachable single-ball coupler 106′, a selectivelyattachable dual-ball coupler 106″ features two ball tips 106 a carriedon a common threaded base 106 b. Under connection of the common threadedbase 106 b to a selected connection port 122 a-122 d, each ball tip 106a is carried in offset relation from the connection port to a respectiveside of the tripod leg 102. One of these dual-ball couplers 106″ isinstalled on each of the three tripod legs 102 at a matching one of thethreaded connection ports. These dual-ball couplers are accompanied bythree stabilization braces 130 that each have a pair of socket couplers22 respectively disposed at its two opposing ends. The three braces 130are connected around the tripod so as to each span from one ball ofdual-ball coupler on one leg to the nearest ball of the dual-ballcoupler on the next leg. The three braces and three dual-ball couplersthus form a closed stabilization ring spanning fully around the tripodfrom one leg to the next. This serves to fix each adjacent pair oftripod legs at a pre-set distance from one another dictated by thelength of the stabilization brace, thus preventing relative tiltingbetween the tripod legs and thereby improving the stability of thetripod.

While the illustrated embodiment features threaded connection ports andselectively attachable ball couplers with compatible threading, thedescribed on-leg storage and leg brace stabilization would also beoperable in other embodiments where the ball couplers 106′ on the sideof the leg 102 are permanently attached components, rather thanremovably threaded attachments. However, the use of threaded connectionports allows directly threaded coupling of third-party componentsalready having the standardized thread type thereon without having touse an adapter of the aforementioned type.

Turning back to the tripod of FIG. 3, the yoke 104 features a hub fromwhich three connection stubs 132 angle downwardly for respectiveconnection to the three tripod legs 102 via the larger ball couplers 112thereon. Each connection stub 132 thus carries a socket coupler ofcompatible size to accomplish snap-fit relation with the proximal endball coupler 112 the tripod leg to form a ball and socket jointtherewith in the same manner described above in relation to thesecurement devices 10 and the distal end ball couplers 106 of the tripodlegs 102. However, an additional stabilizing mechanism is included inthe FIG. 3 tripod to allow the user to selectively lock each tripod leg102 in co-axial alignment with the respective connection stub 132 toprevent relative tilting therebetween at the mated ball and socketjoint. Each connection stub 132 may be pivotally pinned to the hub ofthe yoke to allow angular adjustment therebetween about a singular pivotaxis, and may include a detent mechanism by which the connection stubcan be selectively locked at one of a plurality of predetermined anglesabout said pivot axis. In such embodiments, a first degree ofsingle-axis angular adjustment is attainable between the hub and eachconnection stub, and a second degree of multi-axis angular adjustment inthree dimensions is attainable via the ball and socket joint between theconnection stub and respective tripod leg 102.

In the FIG. 3 embodiment, the stabilization mechanism features externalsplines 134 on the proximal section 114 of the tripod leg 102 near theproximal end 102 a thereof at an axial distance inward from the ball tipof the proximal end ball coupler 112. The stabilization mechanismfurther includes an externally threaded ring 138 rotatably disposedaround the proximal section 114 of the tripod leg 102 on the side of thesplined area opposite the ball tip of the proximal end ball coupler 112,and a sliding stabilization sleeve 136 externally disposed around theconnection stub 132 and axially slidable therealong. The externallythreaded ring 138 is blocked from sliding axially over the splines 134toward the proximal end of the leg. The sliding stabilization sleeve 136is internally threaded at a lower end thereof in order to mate with theexternally threaded ring 138 on the tripod leg. Above the internallythreaded lower end, the stabilization sleeve 136 features an internallysplined area whose spline pattern is matable with the external splineson the leg 102 in co-meshing relation therewith.

The external splines 134 on the leg 102 taper upwardly, and the internalsplines on the stabilization sleeve 136 taper downwardly at a matchingtaper angle so that the downwardly tapered splines on the sleeve meshinto gradually tightening relation with the upwardly tapering splines onthe leg when the sleeve is lowered from an initial retracted positioninto an extended stabilizing position reaching downwardly past themated-together ball and socket of the leg 102 and connection stub 132.The sleeve 136 is then secured in this extended position by rotatablyengaging the externally threaded ring 138 with the internally threadedlower end of the stabilization sleeve. The meshed together splines blockrelative rotation and tilting between the tripod legs 102 and theconnection stubs 132 of the tripod yoke 104. In a variant of thismechanism, the external threading on the leg 102 may be fixed staticallythereon, rather than carried on a rotatable ring, in which case theinternal splines inside the sleeve would be formed on a rotatable insertinside the sleeve rather than being fixed on the internal walls of thesleeve itself so that the sleeve would be rotatable around the splinedinsert in order to engage the sleeve with the static threads on the leg.

FIG. 5 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the tripod leg andstabilization mechanism of FIG. 3. In this embodiment, the tripod leg102′ is once again of telescopic construction featuring a proximalsection 114, intermediate section 116 and distal section 118. The distalsection 118 once again carries a distal end ball coupler 106 compatiblewith the socket couplers 22 of the securement devices 10 and any otheroptional spike or foot components. Instead of selectively attachableball couplers 106′ matable with threaded connection ports, the leg 102′of the present embodiment uses movably supported ball couplers 206 thatare movable into different positions on the leg. The proximal legportion 114 of the illustrated leg 102′ features two such movable ballcouplers 206, each carried on a movable support ring 208 that iscircumferentially rotatable around, and/or axially displaceable along,the proximal leg portion 114 to adjust the circumferential position oraxial location of the movable couplers 206 around or along the proximalsection 114 of the tripod leg 102′. Ball detent mechanisms may be usedto hold the support rings at selected positions. Each support ring 208may feature, for example, four detents at equally spaced intervalstherearound, whereby the ball detent mechanism of each support ring 208is operable to hold the ball coupler 206 in any one of fourcircumferentially spaced positions spaced at ninety-degree intervalsaround the longitudinal axis of the leg so that the ball coupler 206 canbe selectively placed on any of the leg's four different sides. Multiplespring-loaded balls may be provided at axially spaced intervals alongthe leg to allow selective sliding of the support rings from oneball-equipped location thereon to another, where the spring-loaded ballof the leg then engages with one of the detents in the ring 208.

In the FIG. 5 embodiment, the stabilization mechanism for preventingrelative tilting between the tripod leg 102′ and the respective yokeconnection stub 132 (or other component to which the leg is to becoupled) once again features a stabilization sleeve 136′. In thisembodiment, the sleeve 136′ is mounted on the tripod leg 102′, not onthe yoke's connection stub, and the intermeshing splines and rotatablethreaded ring of the earlier embodiment are omitted. In the presentembodiment, the proximal end ball coupler 112 of the tripod leg 102′ hasa body portion 140 of greater diameter than the ball tip 112 a thatprojects axially from the body portion 140, and this body portion 140has raised external threads 142 carried statically thereon that areco-operable with internal threads 144 on the stabilization sleeve 136.However, the threading 142 on the ball coupler body 140 does not spanfully therearound, and instead is provided only at discretely spacedareas around the circumference of the ball coupler body 140. Likewise,the internal threads of the sleeve 136′ only occupy discrete areas ofthe sleeve's internal wall. The sleeve's threaded areas however arecircumferentially spaced apart by an angular interval twice that of theangular interval between the threaded areas of the ball coupler body140. Between the threaded areas, the sleeve interior has smooth walledareas where the internal sleeve diameter exceeds the major diameter ofthe external threads 142 on the ball coupler body 140.

In the illustrated example, the threaded areas on the ball coupler bodyare spaced apart at ninety-degree intervals to reside on all four sidesof the ball coupler body, while the threaded areas on the sleeve arespaced apart at 180-degree intervals to reside on only two diametricallyopposing sides of the sleeve interior. Rotation of the sleeve through apredetermined angular displacement of equal measure to the threadspacing interval of the ball coupler body (i.e. a 90-degree quarterturn, in the aforementioned example) is thus operable to switch thesleeve between a free-sliding state in which the threaded areas of thesleeve and ball coupler body are disengaged from one another, and athread-engaged state in which the threaded areas of the sleeve and ballcoupler body are engaged with one another. In the free-sliding state,the threaded areas of the ball coupler body 140 underlie thesmooth-walled areas of the sleeve interior so that the sleeve 136′ canslide freely along the ball coupler body in the axial direction.

The figure shows the stabilization sleeve 136′ in a retracted positionin which a majority of the ball tip 112 a of the proximal end ballcoupler 112 is uncovered by the sleeve 136′, and in the thread-engagedstate with a proximal set 144 a of the internal sleeve threads engagedwith the external threads 142 of the ball coupler body 140. Once theball tip 112 a of the ball coupler is matingly inserted into snaprelation inside the compatible socket coupling 113 of the tripod yokeconnector 132 or other component, rotation of the sleeve through thepredetermined angular displacement (e.g. quarter turn) is performed toplace the sleeve in its free-sliding state, and the sleeve is slidaxially into an extended position in which the sleeve 136′ nowencompasses not only the threaded body portion 140 of the ball coupler,but also the socket of the other component's socket coupler 113 in whichthe ball tip 112 a is matingly received. At this point, the sleeve isagain rotated through the predetermined angular displacement (e.g.quarter turn), which now serves to engage a distal set 144 b of theinternal sleeve threads onto the external threads 142 of the ballcoupler body. During this engagement of the threads, the threaddirection serves to further advance the sleeve in the axial directioninto a fully its fully extended position around the mated-together balland socket. Extension beyond this fully extended position is preventedby cooperation of an internally tapered distal end 146 a of the sleeve136′ and externally tapered distal end 146 b of the ball coupler body140 situated opposite the ball tip 112 a thereof.

The concentric relationship of the fully extended sleeve 136′ in closefitting circumferential relationship around the socket coupler 113constrains relative angular movement between the two couplers in anydirection, thereby maintaining the tripod leg 102 and tripod yokeconnector 132 or other component in concentric alignment with oneanother to prevent tilting therebetween, and thus stabilizing the balland socket joint in this aligned condition of the components. The socketcoupler 113 may include external threads thereon at matching intervalsto the ball coupler body threads 142 for engagement of such externalsocket coupler threads by the proximal thread set 144 a of the sleevewhen tightened into the fully extended state by engagement of the distalthread set 144 b of the sleeve on the ball coupler body threads 142.Release of this stabilized state of the ball and socket join to enableangular adjustment or decoupling thereof is performed by rotating thesleeve through the predetermined angular displacement (e.g. quarterturn) in an opposite direction to disengage the distal thread set 144 bon the sleeve from the external threads 142 of the coupler body 140 (andlikewise disengaging the proximal thread set 144 a from the socketcoupler threads, if provided). Now in the free-sliding state, the sleeve136′ is slid axially in a retracting direction away from the ball andsocket joint, and preferably then turned again through the predeterminedangular displacement to engage the proximal thread set 144 a of thesleeve with the external threads 142 of the ball coupler body 140 tohold the sleeve in the retracted position, as show in the figure.

The stabilization mechanisms described herein may similarly be used onball and socket equipped components other than tripod legs and tripodyokes to similarly allow selective locking of the components in alignedrelation to one another by extending the sleeve into a stabilizingposition around both of the mated couplers, while also allowing angularvariation between the components via the assembled ball and socket jointif the stabilization sleeve is left in the retracted position withdrawnfrom around the mated-together couplers.

The ball and socket couplers described above make use of the snap fitrelationship between the ball tip and receiving socket to frictionallyresist withdrawal of the ball coupler from the socket coupler. Someembodiments of the present invention further include a secondaryretention mechanism adding supplementary mechanical resistance to suchseparation of the couplers from one another.

One example of such a mechanism is schematically illustrated in FIG. 7,which shows a socket coupler 22 of the type usable in the securementdevices 10 of the preceding embodiments, and a mating ball coupler 106of the type useable on the distal end of a tripod leg 102 to allowattachment of the securement device 10 thereto. However, it will beappreciated that the same mechanism may be employed at the ball andsocket joint between a tripod leg and tripod yoke, in the ball andsocket joint between the attachable couplers 106′ and compatiblesaccessories, or in any other snap fit ball and socket joint used invarious applications.

The ball coupler 106 has a male insertion member 150 attached thereto inthe form of an elongated shaft element 152 protruding axially from theball tip 106 a of the coupler 106 on a central axis A₁ thereof, and apair of spherically ball-shaped enlargements 154 a, 154 b affixed to theshaft element 152 at axially spaced positions thereon. The socketcoupler 22 has a female receiver space 156 defined internally thereofbehind the receiver socket 32, and accessible from the socket via anopening 158 that penetrates the socket wall on a central axis A₂ of thesocket coupler. This central axis A₂ intersects the socket wall atcentral point thereon that denotes the deepest point or apex of thesocket's concavely spherical curvature. The diameter of each enlargement154 a, 154 b exceeds the diameter of the elongated shaft element 152,but is lesser than the diameter of the opening 158 to the femalereceiver space 156.

Respectively located on the central axes A₁, A₂ of the two couplers, themale insertion member 150 and the opening 158 of the female receiverspace 156 align with one another under forced insertion of the ball tip106 a of the ball coupler 106 into the receiving socket 32 of the socketcoupler 22. The male insertion member 150 is long enough to penetratethrough the opening 158 into the female receiver space 156 during thismating of the ball and socket joint. The distance from the ball tip 106a to the first enlargement 154 a nearest thereto exceeds the distancefrom the ball tip's fully inserted position in the socket 32 to thecentral opening 158 in the socket wall, whereby both enlargements 154 a,154 b are received in the female receiver space 156 when the ball tip106 a has been fully inserted into its snap fit relation inside thereceiving socket 32. Behind the opening 158 in the socket wall justinside the female receiver space 156 are a set of three latching members160 that are pivotable about respective pivot axes 161 that lie in acommon plane normal to the central axis A₁, of the socket coupler 22 atouter ends of the latching members adjacent the interior wall of thereceiver space 156. The latching members 160 are spring biased about thepivot axes 161 toward closed positions abutting one another near thecentral axis A₁ and cooperatively obstructing a substantial majority ofthe opening 158.

The latching members 160 are shaped with camming surfaces 160 a on thesides thereof that face into the socket 32 in order to pivot thelatching members outwardly away from one another into open positionsreaching further into the female receiver space 156 when eachenlargement 154 a, 154 b is forced through the opening 158 into contactwith these camming surfaces 160 a during insertion of the ball couplertip 106 a to the socket 32. Such opening of the latching members duringinsertion of the ball coupler is shown in FIG. 7A. In the open positionsof the latching members, the inner ends thereof are spaced far enoughapart to accommodate passage of the enlargements 154 a, 154 b past thelatching members into the receiver space 156.

The latching members 160 also have concave recesses 160 b at theopposite sides thereof that face away from the socket further into thefemale receiver space, and these recesses 160 b cooperatively form aspherical seat that is situated on the central axis A₁ and is sized toconformingly receive either of the enlargements 154 a, 154 b therein, asshow in FIGS. 7B and 7C. Attempted withdrawal of either enlargement 154a, 154 b from the female receiver space, absent the activation of aseparate release mechanism described below, acts only to furtherencourage the latching members into the closed positions obstructing theopening 158, thus blocking such withdrawal of the male insertion member150 from the female receiver space 156, as shown in FIG. 7B. The innerends of the latching members are concavely curved about the central axisA1 in order to collectively define a through-bore 160 c of sufficientdiameter to accommodate the shaft element 152 of the male insertionmember 150 in the closed positions of the latching members.

The release mechanism comprises a release actuator 162 selectivelyoperable by a user to once again pivot the latching members 160 awayfrom one another into the open positions enabling withdrawal of theenlargements 154 a, 154 b past the latching members 160 and through theopening 158. In the illustrated example, the release actuator is a pushbutton release plunger 162 that penetrates the wall of the socketcoupler 22 at the opening 158 of the female receiver space 156 and spansacross the opening 158 on a non-diametrical chord line thereof, i.e. inperpendicular relation to the central axis A₁ at a position offset toone side thereof. With reference to FIG. 7D, this non-diametrical chordline of the plunger 162 underlies all three of the latching members.

With reference to FIG. 7E, the plunger 162 features three raised points164 thereon that point toward the latching members 160 and correspond tothee corresponding protrusions 166 on the socket-facing sides of thelatching members. In a normal position of the release plunger, shown inFIG. 7E and maintained by a biasing spring 168 operating between theplunger and the interior wall of the socket member, for example at alocation opposite where the plunger penetrates the interior wall of thesocket member, the raised points 164 of the plunger do not align withthe protrusions 166 on the latching members 160. However, when a head162 a of the plunger situated outside the socket member 22 is depressedin a direction opposing the action of the biasing spring 168, theplunger is displaced into a release position pushing the raised points164 into camming contact with the protrusions 166, which forces thelatching members 160 into their open positions, thus allowing withdrawalof the insertion member's enlargements 154 a, 154 b from the receivingspace 156.

At least a portion of the elongated shaft element 152 between the balltip 106 a and the first enlargement 154 a nearest thereto is flexible inorder to allow the relative rotation between the mated together ball tip106 and socket 32 in directions causing the central axes A₁, A₂ of thecouplers tilt out of alignment when sufficient force is applied toovercome the frictional resistance provided between the closelyconforming spherical surfaces of the couplers. This flexibility in themale insertion member 150 thus retains the angular-adjustmentfunctionality provided by the mated ball and socket couplers, providedthat one of the forgoing stabilization mechanisms or another externalconstraint is not in place to prevent such relative tilting movementbetween the couplers.

The first enlargement 154 a, whose extraction from the female receiverspace is normally blocked by the latching members 160, acts as a firstsupplementary retention feature to mechanically augment the snap fittedrelation of the couplers that frictionally resists separation thereof.This is shown in FIG. 7B, where attempted pulling of the ball coupler106 out of the socket 32 is resisted by both the snap fit relationshipbetween the ball tip 106 a and surrounding socket 32, and the latchedcondition of the latching members 160 around the shaft element 152 ofthe male insertion member 150, whose first enlargement is seated againstthe seat of the closed latching members 160. Even in the event of a snapfit failure combined with a momentary inadvertent depression of therelease plunger by which first enlargement 154 a is allowed to escapethe female receiver space, the second enlargement 154 b provides asecond failsafe retention feature blocked from inadvertent withdrawal bythe normally closed positions of the spring biased latching members.This is shown in FIG. 7C, where despite escape of the ball tip from thesocket, fully separation of the couplers is prevented by latching of themale insertion member at the second enlargement 154 b thereof.

While FIG. 7 shows the male insertion member 150 of the secondaryretention mechanism as being provided on the ball coupler 106, with thefemale receiving space 156 and latching and release mechanisms beingprovided on the socket coupler 22, it will be appreciated that thisconfiguration may be reversed, provided that the latching and releasemechanisms are appropriately positioned so that the external part 162 aof the release actuator 162 is axially far enough from the tip 106 a ofthe ball coupler in order to reside outside the socket coupler 22 inaccessible fashion to the user when the ball and socket are matedtogether.

FIG. 6 illustrates a simplified form of the tripod leg of the earlierembodiments that omits the stabilization mechanisms thereof and reliessolely on the frictional fit between the ball and socket couplers of thetripod leg and tripod yoke to maintain a user-selected tilt anglebetween the leg and the yoke connector, or on a combination of thisfrictional fit together with the optional connection of thestabilization braces 130 between the assembled legs of the tripod,whether via selectively attachable ball couplers 106″ mounted to one ormore sides of the leg at the optional threaded connection ports, or viamore permanently attached ball couplers at one or more sides of the leg.

FIG. 6 also illustrates that proximal end coupler 112′ at the proximalend of the tripod leg 102″ may be a dual-mode coupler capable of servingas both a relatively large ball coupler and a relatively small socketcoupler. To achieve this, the convexly and spherically contouredexterior surface 112 a of the dual-mode coupler 112′ has an outerdiameter corresponding to a first ball size compatible with therelatively large socket couplers of the tripod yoke connection stubs132, and a concavely and spherically contoured interior socket 112 bthat is open at the terminal end of the coupler 112′ and has a smallerdiameter corresponding to the ball size of the distal end ball couplers106 of the earlier leg embodiments. This way, the dual-mode coupler 112′can be inserted into snap fit relation with a large socket coupler ofthe tripod yoke or another component, but can alternatively accept snapfit insertion of a small ball coupler 106 of another leg or othercomponent. As shown, the dual-mode coupler 112′ may have a maleinsertion member 150 to cooperatively form a secondary retentionmechanism with a large socket coupler or small ball coupler having afemale receiver space 156 with latching and release mechanisms 160, 162.A simplified tripod yoke for use with the simplified tripod leg mayforgo the hinged connection stubs 132 of the earlier embodiment, andinstead incorporate the sockets directly into the yoke hub for directconnection of the legs thereto.

In addition to potential use as a tripod leg, the FIG. 6 embodiment maybe used as a tripod center column, a leg extension, selfie stick, ormonopod. Use of the leg 102″ as a tripod center column is shown in FIG.3, where the leg 102″ extends upwardly through the hub of the tripodyoke 104 to stand upright therefrom and hold the dual-mode coupler 112′in elevated relation thereabove. Here, the dual-mode coupler 112′ canserve as a respective half of a ball mount, the cooperating half (notshown) of which is a camera base plate whose topside features astandardized thread shaft (e.g. ¼-20 screw) for threaded mounting of acamera thereto, and whose underside features either a large femalesocket for fitting over the ball shaped exterior of the dual-purposecoupler 112′ of the center column, or a small male ball for insertioninto the interior socket of the dual-purpose coupler 112′ of the centercolumn.

FIG. 6 shows a leg of fixed length, thereby demonstrating that althoughthe earlier leg embodiments possess telescopic leg adjustability, thepresent invention is not limited to length-adjustable legs. The distalend of the leg 102″ may be equipped with a small ball coupler 106 likethose of the other leg embodiments for selective attachment ofsecurement devices, spikes or other foot attachments with compatiblesocket joints, or may be equipped with a large socket coupler 113 likethose of the yoke connectors 132 to enable multiple legs to be coupledtogether end-to-end to erect various support structures for cameras,lighting or other equipment. Each leg disclosed herein, having agenerally shaft-like structure, whether formed of telescopically matedshaft sections enabling length adjustment of the shaft or a singularshaft of fix length, may likewise be used as a structural component forassembling various structures via the ball and joint couplers, and notjust for assembling tripods. For example, the socket equipped yokes andlegs may be used to assemble geodesic structures or other supportstructures of greater complexity than a three-legged tripod.

While the forgoing embodiments describe use of ball couplers atparticular locations on particular components, and compatible socketcouplers at corresponding locations on compatible components matabletherewith, it will be appreciated that the particular distribution ofthe ball and socket couplers between the two compatible components maybe reversed. In one non-limiting example, the tripod legs may havesocket couplers at the distal ends thereof for mating with compatibleball couplers on the securement devices 10, instead of the reverseconfiguration depicted in the illustrated embodiments. Similarly, thetripod legs may have ball couplers at the proximal ends thereof formating with compatible ball couplers on the tripod yoke, and theselectively attachable or permanently mounted couplers on the sides ofthe tripod legs be socket couplers rather than ball couplers, for matingwith compatible ball couplers being provided on the compatibleaccessories or adapters.

The illustrated securement device embodiment in FIGS. 1 and 2 featuresmagnetic embedments encapsulated within the outer skin 14. The outerskin may comprise multiple layers of varying material composition fromone another, for example having a more flexible inner layer firstapplied over the spring band and embedments, followed by a less flexibleouter layer overlying the first layer. The more flexible inner layerbetter accommodates the flexing of the spring band between its twostable states without cracking or tearing, while the more rigid, yetstill flexible, outer layer of the skin provides improved durability atthe exposed outermost surfaces of the device to reduce wear and tear.

Prototypes of the securement devices were produced by first bonding theembedments and the coupler-carrying stiffener to the spring band tothereby assemble an internal skeleton of the device. The skeleton wasthen immersed into an initially uncured first skin composition. A secondimmersion into a volume of an initially uncured second skin compositionfollowed. When the respective compositions set into their final curedstates, they respectively formed the more flexible inner skin layer andless flexible outer skin layer, both of which fully encapsulate theentirety of the skeleton, except at the open socket end of the socketcoupler, where any excess skin material overlying or filling the socketwas removed. The optional mesh reinforcement layer may be applied afterthe application of the first skin layer so as to only reinforce the lessflexible outer layer, or separate reinforcement may be incorporatedduring application of each skin layer.

While the prototypes employed immersion-based skin application steps,production at a commercial level may apply alternative techniques, forexample optionally using insert molding techniques where the initialskeleton is placed in a first mold to which the first skin compositionis introduced to form the more flexible inner skin layer, followed byplacement of the partially skinned skeleton in a larger second mold towhich the second skin composition is introduced to form the lessflexible outer skin layer.

While the securement devices illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3 employ magneticand fully encapsulated embedments as securement elements, therebyallowing magnetic retention on ferromagnetic objects in a non-marringmanner leaving no damage to the object surfaces (e.g. vehicle surfaces)on which the devices are employed, other embodiments with non-magneticembedments and/or exposed embedments are also contemplated within thescope of the present invention. In some alternatives, instead of fullyencapsulated embedments, optionally overlaid with cup-frilled areas ofthe outer skin, the embedments may be only partially encapsulated in theouter skin. In one example, the embedments may be suction cup unitshaving skin-embedded bases and non-embedded suction cups residingoutside the skin for suction-cupped coupling of the securement device tosufficiently smooth surfaces or objects.

In another example, the embedments may be sharpened securement elementssuch as teeth or spike units similarly having bases thereof embedded inthe skin, but with pointed tips thereof exposed outside the skin forpierced gripping of surfaces or objects for which marring is not aconcern (e.g. rocks, trees, etc.). In such embodiments, the sharpenedsecurement elements are preferably made of harder materials than thespring band, for example hardened materials such as tungsten carbide. Inother embodiments, fully encapsulated yet non-magnetic embedments may beemployed to serve as skin-encapsulated lugs imparting the non-uniformexterior profile at the embedment-equipped side(s) of the spring bandfor gripping purposes. Such lugs may be made of aluminum, variousplastics or other materials. As an alternative to embedments of distinctmaterial composition from the skin itself, the skin may be molded with anon-uniform thickness profile to create integral lugs rather than fullyor partially encapsulated embedments.

FIG. 8A shows one exemplary environment in which embedments, whethermagnetic or not, are useful in securing a securement device 10 to anobject or structure 200 having a crack or other gap between two parts200 a, 200 b of the object or structure. The gap width exceeds thereduced thickness of the securement device at the thinner areas thereofbetween the embedment locations, but is less than the fuller thicknessof the securement device at the embedment locations. Sliding of one ofthe thinner areas of the device into the gap in an insertion directionthrough an open end of the gap (into the plane of the page in FIG. 8A)thus places the securement device in an anchored position in which thedistal end 10 b of the device is blocked from being pulled out of thegap in a pulling direction P that is perpendicular to the insertiondirection. Such pulling of the device from the gap is blocked byinterference between one of the embedments and a boundary edge of thegap in the structure.

FIG. 8A shows the securement device anchored in the gap of the structurein its linear state. Further resistance to withdrawal of the securementdevice in the pulling direction can be provided by snapping at leastpart of the device out of its linear state so that the distal portion ofthe device on the side of the gap opposite the socket-equipped proximalend 10 a of the device coils up on itself, as shown in FIG. 8B. Betweenthe spring band's inherent resistance to unwinding of this coiled distalportion of the device, and the frictional contact between touching areasof the coiled distal portion's outer skin with itself and the structure,this coiled retention supplements the embedment-provided resistance towithdrawal of the device in the pulling direction P. The ability to snapselect portions of the securement device out its linear state into itscoiled state allows the securement device to conform into a variety ofdifferent overall shapes according to the surface or surfaces of anobject or structure to which a user may wish to secure a tripod,monopod, or other support structure, whether for camera or lightingequipment or any other potential applications benefiting from suchunique securement devices.

FIG. 8C illustrates similar use of an at least partially coiled state ofan embedmentless securement device 10′ to resist pulled withdrawal fromthe gap solely based solely on the unwinding resistance of the coiledportion and the frictional skin contact of the coiled portion withitself and the structure 200, thereby demonstrating the usefulness ofskin-encapsulated spring band securement devices regardless of theinclusion or lack of embedments therein.

FIG. 9 schematically illustrates assembly of another alternateembodiment of securement device, which instead of a singular spring bandlike the earlier embodiments, employs a plurality of spring bands inlaminated relation to one another. The bands are all oriented in thesame manner so that their convex-when-linear faces all face the samedirection, and their concave-when-linear faces all face the sameopposite direction. The multiple spring bands are encapsulated within ashared outer skin, which as described in the earlier embodiments mayhave be a multi-layer skin of varying composition and rigidity in eachlayer. Embedments 18 of any of the previously discussed types can onceagain be employed in fully or partially encapsulated fashion on the sideof the device faced by the convex-when-linear sides of the multiplespring bands. FIG. 9 shows the example of a tri-band securement devicewith three spring bands, though the quantity of bands may be increasedor decreased.

In the illustrated example, the spring bands 312, 412, 512 are ofdifferent length than one another, and are stacked in staggered relationto one another in the longitudinal direction. The illustrated bands arepositioned to be co-terminus at their proximal ends 312 a, 412 a, 512 a,where a socket coupler 22 may be connected during manufacture, forexample via the previously described stiffener/dampener 24. However, dueto the different band lengths, the distal ends 312 b, 412 b, 512 b ofthe bands terminate at staggered intervals along the length of theoverall securement device. The longest spring band 312 has a respectivedistal fraction of its convex-when-linear face exposed beyond the distalend 412 b of the next longest spring band 412, which in turn has adistal fraction of its a respective distal fraction of itsconvex-when-linear face exposed beyond the distal end 512 b of the nextlongest spring band 512, which in the tri-band embodiment is theshortest spring band.

The effective spring strength of the securement device is thus increasedat areas thereof where the multiple springs overlap, while thedistalmost portion of the securement device occupied by only the longestspring band possess the same spring properties as a single-bandembodiment like that of FIGS. 1 and 2. Due to their laminated or stackedrelation overlapping one another, the spring bands cannot be rigidlyaffixed together, as they need to have slightly different radii ofcurvature when in their coiled states. A relatively flexible connectionbetween each adjacent pair of spring bands may be provided along thelongitudinal and distal perimeter edges of all but the longest springband via a suitably flexible bonding agent of polymeric or othersuitable composition, as schematically represented in FIG. 9 by zig-zaglines 314. This way, the relative staggered positions of the bands aregenerally maintained, while some degree of longitudinal shifting isallowed between the bands to accommodate the different radii ofcurvatures in the coiled state of the bands. Preferably a thin layer ofsilica gel or other flowable but somewhat viscous substance issandwiched between each pair of adjacent spring bands to avoid emptyairspaces which could otherwise be permeated by moisture if the outerskin is punctured or torn, leading to potential corrosion of thesprings.

FIG. 9 shows the spring bands during assembly of the securement device'sinternal skeleton, where the spring bands are laid out in their linearstates and laminated together by application of the flexible bondingagent around the perimeter edges with the flowable viscous layerssandwiched between the bands. The optional embedments 18 are bonded tothe convex-when-linear face of each band at one or more exposed areasthereof not obscured by an overlying spring band. Different embedmentsthus reside in overlying relation a different quantity of spring bands,as demonstrated in the FIG. 9 where the leftmost/distalmost embedmentoverlies only one spring band (i.e. the longest spring band 312 to whichthis embedment is bonded), the next leftmost/distalmost embedmentoverlies two spring bands (including the second longest or intermediatelength spring band to which this embedment is bonded), and the remainingembedments all overlie all three spring bands (including the thirdlongest or shortest spring band to which these embedments is bonded).

The stiffener/damper 24 and socket coupler 22 may be attached to theco-terminus proximal ends of the spring bands in the same mannerdescribed for earlier embodiments, followed by the application of one ormore skin layers in the previously described manner. While theillustrated multi-band embodiment has its bands laid out in staggeredfashion to provide variable spring action at different longitudinalregions of the device according to the different number of laminatedsprings occupying those particular areas, multi-band embodimentsfeaturing multiple co-terminus bands of equal length are also within thescope of the present invention.

Since various modifications can be made in my invention as herein abovedescribed, and many apparently widely different embodiments of samemade, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanyingspecification shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in alimiting sense.

1. A securement device for coupling an item or assembly to a surface orobject, said device comprising a bi-stable spring band, an outer skinencapsulating at least a substantial portion of the bi-stable springband, and at least a first set of embedments at least partiallyencapsulated inside the outer skin with said bi-stable spring band, saidfirst set of embedments residing at discrete locations along a length ofsaid bi-stable spring band.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein saidembedments are encapsulated between the outer skin and the bi-stablespring band.
 3. The device of claim 1 wherein said embedments are bondedto the bi-stable spring band separately of the outer skin.
 4. The deviceof claim 1 wherein at least some of said embedments are magnetic.
 5. Thedevice of claim 1 comprising a coupler situated adjacent a respectiveend of the bi-stable spring band and connected thereto to enableselective coupling of said securement device to the item or assembly viaa mating coupler provided thereon.
 6. The device of claim 5 wherein, ofsaid discrete locations, an end location nearest to said coupler isoccupied by one or more embedments of greater size and/or quantity thanat other locations further from said coupler.
 7. The device of claim 5wherein the embedments comprise magnetic embedments, including anend-adjacent embedment that is situated nearest the coupler and isgreater in magnetic strength than other embedments situated further fromthe coupler
 8. The device of claim 5 wherein said coupler is partiallyencapsulated by the outer skin.
 9. The device of claim 5 comprising astiffened connection spanning between the coupler and the respective endof the bi-stable spring band to constrain relative angular movementtherebetween.
 10. The device of claim 9 wherein the stiffened connectioncomprises an internal stiffener encapsulated by the outer skin betweenthe bi-stable spring band and the coupler.
 11. The device of claim 5comprising a dampened connection spanning between the coupler and therespective end of the bi-stable spring band to dampen vibrationaltransmission therebetween.
 12. The device of claim 11 wherein thedampened connection comprises a hollow member containing a flowablefiller substance of distinct composition from the outer skin.
 13. Thedevice of claim 1 wherein the outer skin comprises cup-shaped frills atexterior areas thereof to impart a suction cup action under depressionof said exterior side against the surface or object.
 14. The device ofclaim 13 wherein the annular frills at the exterior areas of the outerskin respectively overlie at least some of the embedments.
 15. Thedevice of claim 1 wherein the embedments contribute a non-uniformthickness profile or skin depth to the device that varies betweengreater thickness or skin depth at the discrete locations of theembedments relative to a reduced thickness or skin depth at areasbetween the discrete locations of the embedments.
 16. The device ofclaim 15 wherein the thickness or skin depth gradually tapers betweensaid discrete locations and said areas between the discrete locations ofthe embedments.
 17. A securement device for coupling an item or assemblyto a surface or object, said device comprising a bi-stable spring band,a plurality of securement elements connected thereto at discretelocations therealong on a same side thereof for use in securing thedevice to said surface or object, and a coupler connected to thebi-stable spring band to enable selective coupling of said securementdevice to the item or assembly via a mating coupler provided thereon.18. The device of claim 17 wherein said securement elements comprisemagnets.
 19. The device of claim 17 wherein said securement elementscomprise suction cups.
 20. The device of claim 17 wherein saidsecurement elements comprise material of greater hardness than thebi-stable spring band.
 22. The device of claim 17 wherein saidsecurement elements comprise non-magnetic embedments at least partiallyencapsulated in an outer skin in which the bi-stable spring band is atleast substantially encapsulated, said embedments imparting anon-uniform exterior profile to said outer skin.
 23. The device of claim17 wherein said securement elements comprise lugs at least partiallydefined by an outer skin in which the bi-stable spring band is at leastsubstantially encapsulated, said lugs imparting a non-uniform exteriorprofile to said outer skin.
 24. The device of claim 17 comprising anouter skin encapsulating at least a substantial portion of the bi-stablespring band, and at least partially encapsulating the securementelements and/or the coupler.
 25. The device of claim 17 wherein thecoupler is situated adjacent a respective end of the bi-stable springband, and said securement elements include an end-adjacent securementelement that is located adjacent the coupler and is of greater sizeand/or strength than other securement elements situated further fromsaid coupler.
 26. A securement device for coupling an item or assemblyto a surface or object, said device comprising a bi-stable spring band,an outer skin encapsulating at least a substantial portion of thebi-stable spring band, and a coupler situated adjacent a respective endof the bi-stable spring band and connected thereto to enable selectivecoupling of said securement device to the item or assembly via a matingcoupler provided thereon, wherein said coupler is partially encapsulatedby the outer skin.
 27. The securement device of claim 26 comprising astiffened and/or dampened connection that spans between the coupler andthe respective end of the bi-stable spring band to constrain relativeangular movement therebetween and/or dampen vibrational transmissiontherebetween.
 28. The securement device of claim 1 in combination withthe item or assembly, wherein said item or assembly comprises anelongated shaft, at an end of which is coupled the securement device.29. The securement device of claim 28 wherein the item or assemblycomprises a tripod, of which the elongated shaft at least partiallydefines a respective tripod leg.
 30. The combination of claim 29 whereinthe securement device is one of a plurality of securement devices of thetype recited in claim 1, and each of said plurality of securementdevices is coupled to a respective end of a respective tripod leg ofsaid tripod.
 31. The securement device of claim 1 in combination withthe item or assembly, wherein said securement device and said item orassembly comprise mating ball and socket couplers matable to form anangularly adjustable ball and socket joint between said securementdevice and said item or assembly.
 32. The combination of claim 31wherein said item or assembly comprises an elongated shaft, at an end ofwhich there is supported a respective one of the ball and socketcouplers to enable coupling of the securement device to said end of theelongated shaft.
 33. The combination of claim 32 wherein the item orassembly comprises a tripod, of which said elongated shaft at leastpartially defines a respective tripod leg.
 34. A camera or lightingsupport comprising: at least one elongated leg having opposing terminalends; and a respective securement device connected or connectable toeach elongated leg at or adjacent one of the terminal ends thereof;wherein each securement device comprises at least one bi-stable springband.
 35. The camera or lighting support of claim 34 wherein the atleast one elongated leg comprises three legs assembled or assemblable toform a tripod.
 36. The camera or slighting support of claim 34 whereineach elongated leg and the respective securement device comprise matingor matable ball and socket couplers to form a ball and socket jointbetween the elongated leg and respective securement device.
 37. Thecamera or lighting support of claim 34 wherein said bi-stable springband of each securement device is at least substantially encapsulated inan outer skin of resiliently flexible material.
 38. The securementdevice of claim 1 comprising a plurality of bi-stable spring bandsresiding in at least partially overlying relation to one another.
 39. Adevice comprising a plurality of bi-stable spring bands residing inparallel relation and at least partially overlying relation to oneanother.
 40. The device of claim 39 wherein said plurality of bi-stablespring bands are at least substantially encapsulated within a commonouter skin.
 41. The device of claim 40 comprising embedments at leastpartially encapsulated within said common outer skin with the pluralityof bi-stable spring bands.
 42. The device of claim 41 wherein saidembedments comprise at least some embedments that each overlie adifferent respective quantity of said bi-stable spring bands.
 43. Thedevice of claim 41 wherein said embedments are bonded to one or more ofthe plurality of bi-stable spring bands separately of said common outerskin.
 44. The device of claim 43 wherein said embedments include atleast some embedments bonded to different bi-stable spring bands. 45.The device of claim 41 wherein said embedments are bonded to aconvex-when-linear face of one or more of said bi-stable spring bands.46. The device of claim 39 wherein at least two of the plurality ofbi-stable spring bands reside in staggered relation to one another. 47.The device of claim 39 wherein at least two of the plurality ofbi-stable spring bands are in co-terminus relation to one another at oneor both ends thereof.
 48. The device of claim 47 wherein said at leasttwo of the plurality of bi-stable spring bands are co-terminus with oneanother at only one of said ends.
 49. The device of claim 39 wherein theplurality of bi-stable spring bands are flexibly joined along perimeteredges thereof.
 50. The device of claim 39 comprising non-rigid layersresiding between the plurality of bi-stable spring bands and being ofmaterially distinct composition from said bi-stable spring bands. 51.The device of claim 50 wherein said non-rigid layers comprise flowablematerial.
 52. The device of claim 51 wherein said non-rigid layerscomprise gel material.